The Center and all our various LGBT community organizations – as well as our allied groups – beat a never-ending drum encouraging new people to get involved. We make almost weekly appeals for more volunteers; for more people to send letters, e-mails or make calls; encouraging community members to PLEASE register to vote and show up to vote – all calls for more and more people to get involved in their community. A favorite topic of all civic organizations is “how will we ever get more people involved: more diverse people, more youth, more seniors, more, more, more….”

But the plain truth is that it’s not always easy or comfortable to get involved in a community. In fact, it can be damn difficult.

First, you have to find out when and where some sort of meeting or “meet up” will take place. Meeting announcements don’t always tell you the simple who, what, where and when, and they almost never tell you what to expect when you get there. Who sends party invitations that don’t tell the guests something about who will be there, how to actually get there, what the occasion is and what to wear? Emily Post and our mothers would not be proud.

Then, you have to walk into a room that is often filled with people you don’t know or have never seen. Those are your hosts; hosts who may not come over to say “Hi” or “Welcome,” and/or introduce themselves or introduce you to anyone else. So, we’re off to a great and rewarding start.

When the meeting starts (never on time, of course) the conversation is full of acronyms that are often complete gobbledy-gook. What normal person knows what the PUC is or the impact of AB 244, and who even cares? People are referencing people you don’t know – “You mean you don’t know the name of the Assembly member from East Riverside County?” some say with arched eyebrows, making it impossible to admit you have trouble remembering that the state has both Assembly members and senators, and you have no idea which, if any, belong to you.

Sound appealing? Not exactly. “Insiders,” activists, policy wonks and people already involved can easily forget the first experiences of those looking to get a little involved, make a little difference, maybe meet some interesting people.

The reality is I remember really well what it’s like to walk into the room and feel immediately stupid. I didn’t have a clue about how City Council operated, why in the world I should write a letter to an elected official or how it would make a difference, what I should say if I actually called an elected official to attempt to “educate” them, what various state or national LGBT organizations were up to or how to get involved. In fact, I’m still learning!

But I learned that if I could wade through the acronyms and tolerate feeling like I’d just become an idiot, in the end it was not that difficult.

The truth is we need you. We need new blood and new energy and new ideas. Right now, San Diego is facing a critically important mayoral race, one that will impact the future of our city and the lives of our citizens, including you and me. Next June, we will face an anti-equality amendment to the California Constitution, which would not only ban marriage for same-sex couples but would also eliminate all the protections California domestic partners have access to through Assembly Bill 205 – the Domestic Partner Rights and Responsibilities Act – which took effect on Jan. 1.

So – please stick with us. Know that it may take a few meetings to catch up. But it really isn’t rocket science, and beginning to see what a difference you can make with just a little time and energy feels great.

In fact, let us make it easy and fun for you to get started. On Friday, June 17, at 11:30 a.m., San Diego mayoral candidates will come together at The Center (3909 Centre St., free parking on the side of the building) as part of our Community Coalition Lunch. The candidates – including Donna Frye, Jerry Sanders, Pat Shea, Richard Rider, Jim Bell and Shawn McMillian – will share their vision for the city with our community, and will respond to questions from attendees. The forum is free – lunch is available for $10. ASL interpretation is available upon request, and dress is comfortable (some people will be in business suits, some dressed “business casual,” others will be in jeans or shorts).

Join us for this important gathering. We are inviting you – and, I will promise you, someone will say hello and welcome you. More importantly, I hope you will come to know that your presence and participation is welcomed, needed and valued. See you on June 17.